Spring structure



. 1,553,876 c. E. REED. JR

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed April 10, 1923' ii 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Sept. 15,1925. I, 1,553,876 UNITED; STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

CHARLES E. REED, JR., F OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR T0 CHARLES E. REED &

(70., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SPRING STRUCTURE.

Application filed April. 10, 1923. Serial No. 631,117.

To all whom it may concern: tion of the arrows. Figure 4 is a section 55 Be it known that I, CHARLES E.REED,J1'., taken at the irregular line 4-4 on Fig. 1 a citizen of the United States, residing at and viewed in the direction of the arrow; Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State and Figure 5, a perspective view of one of 5 of Illinois, have invented a new and useful the two similar wedge blocks forming a I Improvement in Spring' Structures, of part of the pring-attaching bracket. 0 which the following is a specification. Inasmuch as all of the features of my y invention relates more particularly invention are applicableto the rear spring to spring structures for vehicles, my main structure of a Ford automobile, certain feaobject being to provide for a spring action tures only thereof being applicable to the supplementary to the action of the main front spring structure thereof, Ihave chosen spring through the medium of which the to illustrate it in connection with the rear body is supported on the axle, to the end spring structure, and as the supplemental that shocks, due to the traveling over rough spring structure and supporting means roads, will be absorbed in a mannerto intherefor are duplicated at opposite end of 'duce ease and comfort in riding. the main spring and the stationary axle of It may be further stated that the inventhe car, have illustrated one end only of the tion has to do with the general type of axle, and the main spring therefor. spring structures wherein supplementary In the arrangement shown the stationary springs are provided in connection with the rear axle of a Ford automobile is representmain spring of the vehicle and through the ed at 6, this axle being provided at opposite medium of which the main. spring is con ends with enlargements, the one at one end nected with the axle of thevehicle. only of the shaft being shown at 7, these Further objects of the invention are to enlargements being of circular shape-and provide a novel and simple arrangement for provided for supporting certain parts of the attaching the supplemental springs to the brake mechanism (not shown) which coaxle of the vehicle to theend that the supoperate with the brake drumson the wheels plemental springs shall be rigidly secured in adjacent thereto, one of these drums being position; to provide a construction in which shown at 8. The axle 6, as commonly pro- 30 the necessity for forming the ends of the vided, is formed at each end with a pair of spring with attaching eyes, the provision parallel ribs 9 spaced apart and provided 8 of which renders the springs subject to imfor the purpose of strengthening the heads pairment, is avoided; to provide a novel'and 7. The rear main spring of the automobile simple arrangement of supplen'iental spring and which is located directly above the axle devices whereby the desirable snubbing 6, it being of leaf form and extending ale action may be effected tojovercomeobjectionmost the entire length of the axle, is repre- 0 able rebound; and otherobjects as will be sented at 10, it opposite ends being formed manifest from the following description. with horizontal eyes, the one at one end only Referring to the accompanying drawings: of this shaft beingrepresentedat 11. Figure 1 is a view inelevation of one end My improved supplementary. spring struc- V of the rear axle of a Ford automobile and ture for the end of the spring shown in Fig. the main supporting spring therefor, the 1 and which would be duplicated for this same having incorporated therewith a supspring at the other end thereof,rcomprises, plemental spring device in accordance with generally stated, a pairof closed spiral 4 my invention. Figure 2 is a viewin elevasprings 12 and13 located substantially partion of the two coil spring elements of the allel with the axle 6 and located at opposite portion of the structure shown in Fig. 1, one sides thereof, a coupling head ltconnected of these elements being a shock-absorbing with the upper'ends of the springs l2and element and the other, a snubbing element, 13 and pivotally connected. with a shackle these elements being shown side by side and 15 which latter in turn is pivotally connected illustrated in the relative position. they aswith the eye of the spring 11, and a cli some before assembly withthe structure of device 16 secured to the axle6 and to whicli Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a section taken at the the lower ends of the springs 12 and13 are 1 ine 3"----3.on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direcconnected. 4 i

' lugs terminating The clip device 16 is formed of'a U-shaped member 17 adapted to be applied to the axle 16 in straddling position thereon as shown in the drawings, the member 17. being provided at opposite sides thereof with depending lugs 18 which extend below the under side of the axle 6 and through which a bolt 19 for drawing together the opposed leg portions of the clip 17 extend, the body member being also provided with laterally-extending in substantially horizontally disposed split socket portions 21 equipped with the clamping screws As is common in axle constructions of this type, the axle 6 is formed of a central section 23 and end sections 2 1 (one only of which is shown) on which the heads 7 are formed, these end sections being secured to the central section 6 through the medium of rivets 25. The clips 16 are. secured to the axle to overlap the joints between the sections 6 and 2 1, and to this end are recessed, as represented at 26, to receive these rivets, the opposite ends of the clips being provided with the outwardly-extending lugs, the one for the clip shown bemg represented at 27,

which extend into the spaces between the ribs 9 as shown more particularly in Fig. 1. The fastening means for the clip comprise, in addition to the bolt 19, a pair of wedge blocks 28 shown as grooved along their lower surfaces, tions they fit over the bolt 19 between the lugs 18, the upper surfaces of these wedge blocks being inclined, as represented at 30, the blocks being so arranged that the surfaces 30 converge downwardly and at which portions these blocks bear against the under side of the axle 6, and when the bolt 19 is tightened to secure the clip in place, these blocks operating to firmly wedge the clip member 18 against vertical movement. It will be understood from the foregoing that a clip constructed as described is not only firmly secured against vertical movement, as stated, but it is firmly held against rotation on the axle and against creeping in either direction along the shaft.

The split sockets 21 afford points of connection for the lower ends of the springs 12 and 13, these ends of the springs being in serted into the sockets and tightly clamped therein by turning up the screws 22.

The clip 1 1 is shown as formed of a bar portion 31 presenting at its opposite ends the split socket portions 32 in which the upper ends of the springs are insertable and in which the latter are firmly secured by turning up the clamping screws 33 engaging the opposite split portions of these sockets. The bar portion 31 is provided with a depending lug 3 1 pivotally connected at 35 with theshackle 15 which is shown as of common construction.

In the particular construction illustrated as represented at 29', at which por-.

the springs 12 and 13 are of identically the same construction except that the ends of the springs 13 extend at a lesser angle to each other than the ends of the spring 1.2.

It is preferred, though not necessary in carrying out my invention, that the springs 13 be of such form and present such tension, that they will be under little, if any, tension under the load imposed by the empty body of the vehicle. Thus when the vehicle is traversing rough roads both of the springs 12 and 13 at each end of the axle 6 will be placed under tension and supplement the action of the main spring 10, as will be manifest, to absorb shocks. The springs 13, when the spring structure rebounds, move to a normal position in which they are not under tension, before the springs 12 have assumed such condition, and thus, as the rebound continues, the upper ends of the springs 13 are caused to be moved upwardly against the tension of these springs and a snubbing action is produced.

The provision of the split sockets for supporting the springs at their ends, the ends of the springs being unprovided with eyes, is of great practical advantage in structures of this character, inasmuch as the springs with eyes have proven very troublesome because of breakage at these eye portions. The use of the split clamps not only dispenses with the need of performing the operations necessary to produce the eyes on the ends of springs, which is expensive, but also renders the structure very much less liable to impairment than where the eyes are provided.

Furthermore, it will be noted that by providing an arrangement of leaf spring and supplemental coil spring, whereby the end of the leaf spring, ad'acent the coil spring,

and the arm of the coil spring which is operatively connected with this end of the leaf spring, extend in inclined relation to th horizontal plane as shown, practically no tendency to the slipping of the clamp 1 1 on the upper arm of the coil spring, exists and, therefore, this end of the arm may be left. plain. Inasmuch as there is thus no tendency of the coil spring 12 to bodily move in the direction of the length of the axle 23 by reason of the arrangement of the springs, as stated, the provision of the lower arm of the coil spring 12 as a horizontal arm creates no tendency of this arm to move lengthwise in the clamp 18 and thus the outer end of this lower arm may be left plain.

It will be understood that certain features of my invention are readily applicable to the front spring structure of the car and in so far as they are applicable it is my intention to claim them, regardless of the location of the spring structure.

While Ihav illustrated and described a limit it thereto ously modified and axle and body, between, a clip particular embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to as the same may be varialtered Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to se-' cure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a vehicle, the combination with its of a spring interposed thereprese-nting spaced apart portions at which it straddles said axle, a bolt extending beyond the axle from one to the other of said portions of said clip, wedge means engaging said'axle and clamping said clip to said axle under the clamping action of said bolt, and a supplemental spring de vice operatively engaging an end of said spring and said clip.

2. In a vehicle, the combination with its axle'and body, of'a spring interposed therebetween, a clip presenting spaced apart portions at which it straddles said axle, a bolt extending beyond the axle from one to the other'of said portions of said clip, a pair of wedge blocks having oppositely-directed wedge-faces and located between said portions of said clip and bearing at saidwedgefaces against said axle, and a supplementary spring device operatively engaging an end of said spring-and said clips.

3. Ina vehicle, the combination with its axle-and body, of a spring interposed therebetween, a clip presenting spaced apart 'portions at which it straddles said axle, a bolt extending beyondthe axle from oneto the other of said'portions of said clip, a pair of 'wedge blocks located between said portions of said clip and bearing against said axle and recessed to straddle said bolt, and a supplementary spring device operatively epgaging anendof said spring and said c V p 7 g i 4. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and axle carrying an expanded head providedwi'th ribs spaced apart, of a spring vinterposed between said body and axle, a clip presenting spaced apart portions at I which it straddles said axle, a bolt engaging said portions of the clip and extending below said, axle, said clip having a portion extending between said lugs for preventing rotation of said clip on said :axle, and a supplementary spring device operatively engaging said clip and spring.

5. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and axle having an expanded head provided with ribs spaced apart, of a spring interposed therebetween, a clip presenting spaced-apart portions at which it straddles said axle, a bolt engaging said portionsof said clip and extending, below said axle, Wedge means interposed between said portions of said clip and said axle and bolt, said clip having a portion which extends between said ribs and prevents rotation of said clip on said axle,and a supplemental spring device operativelyengaging said spring'and clip.

6. In a vehicle, the. combination with its body and axle having an expanded head provided with ribs spaced apart, said axle being formed of alining sections secured together and radially-extending fastening devices exposed at the outer surface of the axle, of a spring interposed between said body and axle, a clip presenting spaced apart portions at which it straddles said axle, said clip presenting an outwardly-fad ing shoulder co-operating with said fastening devices to form a stop limiting move ment of the clip on the axle lengthwise of the latter, said clip having a portion which extends between said ribs and prevents rotation of said clip on said axle, a bolt engagingsaid portions of said clip and extending below said axle, wedge means interposed between said portions of said clip and clamping said clip to said axle under the clamping action of said bolt, and a supplemental spring device operatively engaging said spring and clip.

7, In combination, two relatively movable members and spring means therebetween formed of c urved spring elements operatively engaging at their ends with said members, one of said elements being a shock c absorber and the other a snubber element, the curved portions of said elements extending in planes which extend in the direction of relative movement of'said members, said spring elements being so constructed and arranged that said snubber element exerts re sistance to relative movement of said mem bers ina direction away from each other,

while the other of said elements is exerting a force tending to move said members apart in the relative movement of said members under rebound.

8. In combination, two relatively movable members and spring means therebetween formed of closed coilsprings operatively' engagingat their ends with said members, one of said coil springs being a shock absorber and the other thereof a snubber element, said coil springs being located side by side with their axes extending crosswise of the direction of relative movement of said members, said coil springs being so con structed and arranged that said snubber spring exerts resistance to relative movement of said members in a direction away from each other while the other of said coil springs is exerting a force tending to move said members apart in the relative movement of said members under rebound.

9. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and supporting structure, of a leaf spring interposed between said body and supporting structure with an end thereof inclining relative to the horizontal plane, and

a supplementary coil spring with its axis extending crosswise of said leaf spring and located between the ends of said leaf spring, said coil spring having outwardly-eiitending arms extending generally in the direction of the length of said leaf spring, said coil spring being connected at one of its arms with said supporting structure, the other arm of said coilspring operatively engaging said inclining end of said leaf spring and, in the normal condition of the vehicle structure, inclining relative to the horizontal plane in a direction opposite to that in which said end of said leaf spring inclines.

10. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and supporting structure, of a leaf spring interposed between said body and supporting structure with an end thereof inclining relative to the horizontal plane, a supplementary coil spring with its axis extending crosswise of said leaf spring and located between the ends of said leaf spring, said coil spring having outwardly-extend ing arms extending generally in the direction of the length of said leaf spring, one of said arms extending substantially horizontally and at which said coil spring is connected with said supporting structure. and a shackle connecting the other arm of said coil spring with said inclining end of said leaf spring, said last-referred-to arm, in the normal condition of the vehicle struo ture, inclining relative to the horizontal plane in a direction opposite to that in which said end of said leaf spring inclines.

11. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and supporting structure, of a leaf spring interposed between said body and supporting structure with an end thereof inclining relative to the horizontal plane, a supplementary coil spring with its axis extending crosswise of said leaf spring and located between the ends of said leaf spring, said coil spring having outwardlvextending arms extending generally in the direction of the length of said leaf spring, said coil spring being connected at one of its arms with said supporting structure, the other arm of said coil spring extending in interccpting relation to the inclining end of said leaf spring and operatively engaged with said iuclii' -ng end, and in the normal condition of the vehicle structure extending at an angle to the horizontal plane.

12. lin a vehicle, the combination with its body and supporting structure, of a leaf spring interposed between said body and supporting structure with an end thereof inclining relative to the horizontal plane, a supplementary coil spring with its axis e. tending crosswise of said leaf spring and located between the ends of said leaf spring, said coil sprin having outwardly-eiltending arms CIIlIOlKllB generally in the direction of the length or said leaf spring, said coil spring being connected at one of its arms with said supporting structure, the other arm of said coil spring extending in intercepting relation to the inclining end of said leaf spring, and a shackle connecting said last-referred to arm with said inclining end of said leaf spring, adjacent their outer extremities. beyond the point of their intersection, said last-referred-to arm of said coil spring, in the normal condition of the vehicle structure extending at an angle to the horizontal plane.

13. In a vehicle, the combination with its body and supporting structure, of a leaf spring interposed between said body and supporting structure with an end thereof inclining relative to the horizontal plane, and a supplementary coil spring with its axis extending crosswise of said leaf spring and located between the ends of said leaf spring, said coil spring having outwardlyextending arms extending generally in the direction of the length of said leaf spring, one of said arms extending substantially horizontally and at which said coil spring is connected with said supporting structure, the other arm of said coil spring operatively engaging said inclining end of said leaf spring and, in the normal condition of the vehicle structure, inclining relative to the horizontal plane in a direction opposite to that in. which said end of said leaf spring inclines.

REED. JR.

CHARLES 

